Anatomy and Physiology All-In-One combines the idea of a simplified textbook with the practice opportunities of a workbook. It isn’t meant to replace a proper anatomy and physiology (A&P) textbook, and it’s certainly not meant to replace going to an actual class. It’s designed to be a supplement to your ongoing education and a study aid for prepping for exams. Sometimes, a slightly different presentation of a fact or of the relationship between facts can lead to a small “Aha!” moment; then technical details in your more comprehensive resources become easier to master. Consider reading the relevant chapter before class. That way, when your instructor covers the content, it’ll be more likely to stick.
Your coursework might cover things in a different order from the one I’ve chosen for this book. As an instructor, I’ve had years of trial and error in the order in which I teach topics. I’ve found the flow of this book to be the most successful for my students, and it does differ from the traditional order, particularly when you reach the “Traveling the World,” module which covers the fluids that circulate in your body. I welcome you to take full advantage of the table of contents and the index to find the material as it’s addressed in your class.
Whatever you do, don’t feel obligated to go through this book in the order I’ve chosen. But please do answer the practice questions and check the answers as you go. They are placed strategically, and in addition to providing the correct answers, I clarify why the right answer is the right answer and why the other answers are incorrect.
The goals of this book are to be informal but not unscientific, brief but not sketchy, and information-rich but accessible to readers at many levels. I’ve tried to present a light but serious survey of human anatomy and physiology that you can enjoy merely for the love of learning.
